Gillian Bennett (1969, History) has featured on BBC Radio 4 programme Document in an episode called ‘The Hague Warning’.

The episode, which aired on Monday 11 August at 8pm, looked at why Britain failed to act on a 1939 intelligence communication which gave seven weeks advance warning of Germany’s intention to invade Poland. The intelligence was supplied by a German agent working for Britain.

Gillian Bennett, former head of historians at the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office, addressed the Somerville London Group on 6 June at the Oxford & Cambridge Club, in a talk entitled ‘Six Moments of Crisis: Inside British Foreign Policy’.

‘The Hague Warning’ can be listened to on the BBC website.

Further reading?

‘Secret Genius’ Comes to Somerville

Learn More
26 February 2026
‘Secret Genius’ Comes to Somerville

Janet Vaughan Society Dinner 2026

Learn More
26 February 2026
Janet Vaughan Society Dinner 2026

Ratan Tata Building Update

Learn More
25 February 2026
Ratan Tata Building Update